GA Library Faces Firestorm Over "Pile of Junk" Sculpture

-- Library Journal, 08/01/2005

After weeks of controversy, the Muscogee County Library Board, Columbus, GA, voted July 28 to withdraw from a $250,000 contract to install an abstract sculpture in the new Columbus Public Library building. According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, the Columbus Council had voted 9-1 July 19 to refuse to release $250,000 to pay for the 35-foot-tall metal sculpture. Council members were angry that they were not consulted before the contract was signed, and accused the board of not taking bids on the 35-foot sculpture. After the Ledger-Enquirer published a rendering of artist Albert Paley's proposal, residents complained about the sculpture; one Councilor called it "a pile of junk." The main library, which opened in January, is a joint effort between the Columbus Consolidated Government and the Muscogee County School Board; ownership will not be transferred to the school board until all aspects of the project are completed.

Library officials were unclear, however, whether the library could avoid paying the money due on the contract signed May 26 by board chairman Tom Wade. Artist Paley, of Rochester, NY, told the newspaper that the sculpture was on schedule, though he had been asked three weeks previously to put the work on hold for two months. Paley said he has "a tremendous amount of money in that sculpture. I have a staff of 15 people, with many sub- contractors still involved. Six contractors have their hands on it plus my staff."